Green Thumbs Up: Sow and grow your own garden

Friday

Feb 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 29, 2008 at 3:04 PM

On this perfect winter afternoon, spring seemed light years away, but even for gardeners who yearn for the greening of the landscape, the peaceful solitude of the storm’s aftermath was undeniably mesmerizing. Only a few days before, the first signs of spring began to appear in my landscape.

Suzanne Mahler

A recent Massachusetts snowstorm left half a foot of snow in its wake, and crystal clear blue skies beckoned me to enjoy the beauty of our winter wonderland.

On this perfect winter afternoon, spring seemed light years away, but even for gardeners who yearn for the greening of the landscape, the peaceful solitude of the storm’s aftermath was undeniably mesmerizing.

Only a few days before, the first signs of spring began to appear in my landscape.

The vibrant yellow, fringed blossoms of witch hazel emerged, creating a frilly, lemon chiffon cloud in a shady corner alongside my water garden. Gray skies and cold weather cause the spidery petals to close tightly, but when temperatures moderate or the sun strikes the plump buds, the clusters unfurl once again releasing a delightful fragrance.

This fabulous underused multi-stemmed tree or shrub typically blooms for six to eight weeks during February and March and is always one of my earliest glimpses of springtime splendor.

For many gardeners, the true harbingers of spring are the pussy willows. Each February, the pearly, silken catkins of a Japanese fantail willow appear several weeks before their wild cousins that inhabit my wetlands meadow.

This unusual willow features contorted branches that curl, twist and are often flattened to form fascinating curlicues with unique, peculiar patterns of soft, silvery buds. As I viewed these early hints of springtime, their branches now laden with sparkling clusters of ice crystals, a small flock of robins could be seen perched high above, equally out of place in this wintry scene, their occasional calls to one another sounding like protests to Mother Nature for her most recent chilly offering.

When cold, snow, and ice prevail during these last few weeks of the winter season, few activities can provide greater satisfaction than sowing and growing plants from seed.

Quantities of annuals, perennials and vegetables can be raised from seed packets at a fraction of the cost of buying flats or individual plants. There is also a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment when you successfully grow plants from seed.

Another advantage to starting your own seeds is the fantastic diversity available from seed sources.

While many nurseries offer a wide selection of plants and seeds, the possibilities from seed catalogs are infinite. Raising plants from seeds enables the gardener to select the colors, attributes, and varieties best suited to their needs rather than being limited to those offered as transplants later in the season at local nurseries.

The month of February is an ideal time to begin the process of gathering seeds and supplies.

Seeds, containers, and growing medium can be bought locally or through catalogs. Perhaps the most difficult task will be selecting which types and varieties of seeds to purchase with so many enticing descriptions and photographs offered by the seed companies.

Should you have seeds from previous years, they should be tested now for their viability. Most seeds remain viable for a number of years if stored in a cool, dry environment, but some types last better than others.

Airtight containers, plastic bags or canisters are ideal for storage. Place a number of stored seeds between damp layers of paper towels and keep in a warm location consistently above 70 degrees. Keep the toweling damp but not soggy and start checking the seeds in a few days for up to three weeks. If none or only a very small percentage of the seeds germinate, fresh seeds should be purchased.

Once seed packets have been acquired, be sure to date each envelope if they have not been stamped with the year of production and carefully read the instructions on the back.

A good reference book on seed starting is highly recommended for sowing and growing seeds that you may have gathered from your own garden and to supplement information listed on seed packets. These books contain valuable information on seed viability, germination times, temperature and light requirements, and special treatments that may be required for certain varieties.

If you plan to sow several different types of plants, prepare a timetable for starting your seeds.

Perennials tend to grow more slowly and can be started up to 12 weeks before the last frost. Most annuals and vegetables should wait until six to eight weeks prior to Memorial Day to be sown.

Limited sunlight and short day length often lead to leggy, spindly seedlings, especially if seeds are to be grown on sunny windowsills. Fluorescent lighting generally produces stocky, healthier transplants but little will be gained by beginning the germination process too early.

For now, be content to research, purchase, and dream of your upcoming bounty of seedlings and the rewards they will produce through the spring and summer months.

Suzanne Mahler is an avid gardener, photographer and lecturer who has been developing the 1.5-acre property surrounding her home in Hanover, Mass., for more than 30 years. Her weekly gardening column 'Green Thumbs Up' has appeared in Community Newspapers for more than a decade. She is a member of two local garden clubs, past President of the New England Daylily Society, an overseer for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and is employed at two garden centers.